Mazda Tribute MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,992 real DVSA MOT tests on the Mazda Tribute — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Mazda Tribute fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Mazda Tribute is abs fault — this model is 19 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,992 MOT tests, 41.49% of all Mazda Tribute tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (12x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (17x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x the fleet average), and coil springs broken (46x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Mazda Tribute's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Suspension, Bodywork, Brakes, Seatbelts & Airbags. If you're inspecting a Mazda Tribute before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Mazda Tribute's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Mazda Tribute specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (19x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (17x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (12x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (12x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Mazda Tribute specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (46x the average) and abs fault (19x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (10x) and seat mounting fault (8.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to coil springs broken at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
What to check before buying a Mazda Tribute
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Mazda Tribute:
Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, coil springs broken. Bodywork — check for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Mazda Tribute?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Mazda Tribute MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Mazda Tribute?
Based on 1,992 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is abs fault — at 19x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Mazda Tribute reliable based on MOT data?
The Mazda Tribute has 6 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is abs fault. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Mazda Tribute most commonly fails on coil springs broken and abs fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Mazda Tribute's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.